World-famous chef Massimo Bottura is opening his first solo project in the United States, the Torno Subito. Located in downtown Miami, the project is a casual Italian restaurant with a polished touch, a sibling to a Michelin-starred restaurant of the same name in Dubai. Bottura is a prolific chef, restaurateur, and gastronomic ambassador for his home region of Emilia-Romagna.
What Is the Torno Subito?
The Torno Subito results from a partnership between Bottura and King Goose Hospitality, entrusted to the Dubai location’s original chef, Bernardo Paladini. Paladini relocated to Miami about a year and a half ago to familiarize himself with the new Miami location’s farms, sellers, and ingredients. The restaurant was opened on the rooftop of the chef-focused Julia & Henry’s food hall on Flagler St.
“We all share a passion for the Italian Riviera’s retro Dolce Vita mood with Fellini’s dreamlike qualities, but each project is also the mirror of the chefs,” Bottura stated. “Bernardo has been in Miami for a year and a half, and in that time, he has deepened his knowledge of the cheesemakers, farmers, ranchers, and fishermen of the South Florida area. We fully support him to express himself under a creative hat that is Osteria Francescana and our Francescana Family.”
You’ll Be Back Soon
The Italian phrase “torno subito” translates to “I’ll be back soon” and can commonly be seen on closed storefronts in Italy, much like the sometimes seen “will return” signs in the United States. Bottura explained that he would know this phrase on closed storefronts during childhood trips to the coastal town of Rimini and chose to repurpose the phrase as the name of his restaurant for a touch of irony. Of course, once you’ve visited the restaurant and tasted the food, the phrase takes on new meaning.
The Restaurant’s Experience
On the ground floor of Julia & Henry’s food hall, guests of the Torno Subito are led to an elevator that takes them to the rooftop. The yellow-tiled pizza oven and prevalence of color are immediately striking, as are the striped umbrellas and yellow cushioned chairs that lend a Miami feel to the place. Once seated, the Torno Subito aims to take its guests on a culinary adventure.
As Paladini says, “We want to bring our guests on an imaginary trip all over Italy while also honoring and taking inspiration from the rich history, culture, and landscape of Miami.”
Popular Dishes and Drinks
The restaurant’s signature tortellini are impressive. The little pockets of dough stuffed with pork are handmade daily by an Italian nonna who relocated to Miami, lending the food a genuine feel. The tortellini is then set in a Parmigiano Reggiano sauce, richly balancing the pasta.
Another popular dish is the cacio e pepe, which uses local Floridian citrus zest. “I’m from Rome and cacio e pepe is one of the most iconic pastas from Rome,” Paladini said. “The original dish at the restaurant uses pecorino cheese and pepper, but I decided to add a small percentage of Parmigiano to make it more round and then to use my favorite ingredient from Florida, the citrus. The zest from oranges from northern Florida, the lime from the Keys, and local lemons. The aromatic flavors help you enjoy the dish more and more.”
Beyond meals, Torno Subito has joined Italian tradition with American cocktail culture by partnering with 2019 World’s Best Bar winner Dante. Their extensive and flavorful selections reflect the two communities in a blend of Italian heritage and Miami culture.
Italian Cuisine With a Miami Touch
Bottura’s restaurant is an exciting addition to the Miami dining scene. It intelligently creates a distinctly Miami experience while making traditional Italian cuisine more accessible. There’s plenty to look forward to when visiting the Torno Subito.
